Review of Pamphlet: A Christian View of Mental Illness

Understanding and Response
Written by Crystal Horning, MS, NCC, Mennonite Mutual Aid Mental Illness Consultant
Published July, 2001

To order, phone 800.348.7468, ext. 269. May also order on-line at www.mma-online.org/resources.

Crystal Horning represented the Anabaptist faith groups on the board of Pathways to Promise. Under her leadership, Mennonite Mutual Aid has done very creative work in the field of mental illness. – Bob Dell.

All too often, books and materials that are supposed to help people better understand a particular subject are written with more than enough jargon and scientific and medical terminology to make us close the cover after the first few paragraphs. Much too often, the human side of the subject matter is forgotten. This is not the case with Crystal Horning’s, A Christian View of Mental Illness: Understanding and Response.

In this wonderfully readable booklet, we are introduced to real people, including the author, who are successfully living with mental illness. The glimpses into their personal lives are uplifting as well as educational. Their stories add great relevance to the sections of the booklet that define and look at the causes of mental illness.

The author also discusses the role of faith in helping individuals, their families and care givers walk through the journey of mental illness. Our Christian response must be a change in attitude, provision of supportive care, education, advocacy, and interaction. The booklet includes a list of national organizations and resources as well as an extensive bibliography of books across a wide range of interest areas.

I knew from the first paragraph of the section on the impact of mental illness that I would appreciate Horning’s writings. She notes that people affected or impacted by mental illness need pastors and church families who respond with empathy and understanding, no matter how great the challenge. As Horning states, “They need Jesus with skin on.”

What a tremendous statement! If we are to be the example of Jesus’ love and model the teachings of Christ in our world, then we are to be “Jesus with skin on.” That one statement encompasses our total Christian response to not only individuals with mental illness and their families but to all God’s people.

Review by Martha E. Stokes., Director, Commission on Disabilities, Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.